Shirley Bassey reveals she couldn't sing after her daughter's tragic death

Dame Shirley Bassey has spoken about the aftermath of her daughter's tragic death in a BBC interview, revealing that she lost her voice while grieving.

The singing legend's daughter, Samantha Novak, drowned in the River Avon in Bristol 30 years ago, when she was just 21.

Speaking to comedian David Walliams during a special show to celebrate her 80th birthday, the Welsh star revealed she had returned to performing quickly after the tragedy, but that her voice simply failed her.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Dame Shirley revealed she had spent a week alone in her grief before deciding to return to work because staying at home was 'killing' her. It seems as if her vocal chords were not prepared, however:

'I walked on the stage and I opened my mouth to sing Goldfinger,' she said during the show, which will be shown on BBC1 on Christmas Eve. 'Nothing came out.'

Dame Shirley, who has always maintained that her daughter's death was neither suicide nor an accident, added that the loss was 'just devastating'.

She added that she now realises she shouldn't have returned to performing so soon, and that 'staying home and grieving and getting it out my system' would have been the best approach.

Dame Shirley finished by praising a singing coach, who helped her regain her vocal strength and continue with her career.

David Walliams Celebrates Dame Shirley Bassey airs on BBC One on 24 December at 9pm.